Study on Management Practices of Camel in Arid Zone of Rajasthan

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the general information about camels’ management practices i.e., camel housing, feeding, breeding and general management practices. Two districts, Bikaner and Jaisalmer were selected purposively according to their camel population. A total of 60 camel owners were randomly selected and interviewed from each district for the study. The investigation revealed that the camel farmer possessed an open camel house outside their home. They were mostly grazed their camel to pasture land and concentrate was supplied to camel preferably to pregnant and camel utilize for draft purpose. Camel owners were choosing male camel in herd or outside of herd based on its physical appearance and breed characteristics. Breeding started at the age of four to five years and none of the camel owners maintaining the breeding record. Most of the respondents had an approachable veterinary facility. Dermatitis (mange), Surra and camelpox are the most prevalent and infectious diseases of the study area. However, impaction and fracture were other problems reported by the camel owners. Majority of camel owners treating their camels by self through their traditional knowledge or contacting traditional healers, whereas veterinarians were the first choice for surgical and gynaecological problems.